Seneca
A Life
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Penguin Books Ltd
Published:3rd Mar '16
Should be back in stock very soon
This biography of Seneca explores the contradictions of his life, highlighting the tension between his Stoic beliefs and his political reality under Nero.
Seneca, a towering figure of ancient Rome, was a philosopher, dramatist, and rhetorician whose life was marked by stark contradictions. He adhered to Stoic principles, advocating for a life of virtue and self-control, yet he found himself accumulating wealth and influence under the tyrannical rule of Emperor Nero. This biography delves into the complexities of Seneca's character, exploring how he navigated the treacherous waters of political power while grappling with his moral convictions.
The narrative reveals how Seneca's ascetic ideals often clashed with his affluent lifestyle, leading to a profound internal conflict. Despite his philosophical teachings on the importance of virtue, he was entangled in the intrigues of the imperial court, which ultimately culminated in his tragic end. The author meticulously examines the historical context of Seneca's life, shedding light on the societal pressures and personal choices that shaped his existence.
In Seneca, readers will discover a compelling portrait of a man who lived on the edge of his beliefs, constantly striving to reconcile the demands of his philosophy with the realities of his world. This biography not only chronicles his life but also invites reflection on the broader themes of ethics, power, and the human condition, making it a significant contribution to understanding one of history's most enigmatic figures.
Seneca lived in a world where dissimulation was a way of life, and the confusion between reality and failure woven into the very fabric of the state. It is the mirror he holds up to it which makes him such a great and unsettling writer, and which Wilson's fine biography does so much to explicate -- Tom Holland * Telegraph *
Absorbing * Observer *
Morally our author is tough on Seneca, contrasting, for example, his lickspittle approach to Nero with Boudicca's resistance. But she is a persuasive extoller of his writing and the final chapter about his diverse legacy is breathtaking * Spectator *
The most famous and poignant example of a philosopher trying and spectacularly failing to improve a ruler, is that of the Roman Stoic Seneca, whose life is wonderfully retold here by the classicist Emily Wilson * Sunday Times *
This is a riveting and complete picture of Seneca's complex and compromised life. It is impeccably researched, carefully structured, and written with admirable brio. For good or ill, ours is a Senecan age -- Simon Critchley, The New School for Social Research
A fresh, perceptive, and in-depth look at the enigmatic Seneca, giving us a nuanced perspective into the conflicted mind and motives of the philosopher who embraced lofty Stoic ideals while serving Nero and amassing great wealth in the process. I honestly could not put it down, it is so insightful and well written and yes -- suspenseful, even though we know the ending -- Margaret George, author of Elizabeth I: The Novel and Helen of Troy: A Novel
ISBN: 9780718193508
Dimensions: 198mm x 129mm x 15mm
Weight: 202g
272 pages